WO2021121712A1

WO2021121712A1 - Modular and scaleable furniture

Info

Publication number: WO2021121712A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/078781
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alain Chennaux; Odile Chennaux
Original assignee: Alain Chennaux; Odile Chennaux
Priority date: 2019-12-20
Filing date: 2020-10-13
Publication date: 2021-06-24
Also published as: EP4076089A1; US20230000248A1; FR3104927B1; FR3104927A1

Abstract

The furniture comprises, between two lower (1) and upper (2) boards, each having two parallel planar surfaces (7, 8) and two front (5) and rear (6) edges, a module (3; 4) with one or two side walls (14, 15), each having two upper and lower edges, and a rear back wall with two upper and lower edges, assembled to the side walls (14, 15). The module (3; 4) can slide and be guided along the boards (1, 2). One of the edges (5, 6) of each board (1, 2) comprises a longitudinal rib (11; 12) protruding perpendicular to its planar surfaces (7, 8). The module (3; 4) is notched (25) longitudinally and perpendicular to its side walls (14, 15) so as to slot onto the ribs (11; 12) of the boards (1, 2) and thus slide along these ribs (11; 12).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Title of the invention: Modular and scalable furniture TECHNICAL FIELD

The field of the invention of the present application is that of furniture or shelves for storage or presentation of various and varied objects, such as books - it is then libraries -, trinkets - it is then showcases or displays - perfume bottles - these are then pianos -, etc. More particularly, the pieces of furniture in question comprise a plurality of modules which are mounted to slide on planks - floors, ceilings or spacers - in order to be able to modify and change the storage or presentation structure of these pieces of furniture.

More generally, the field of the invention is therefore that of furniture for storage and presentation of objects which are modular and capable of changing by sliding, along two low and high boards each having two front and rear edges. , modules comprising front edges and bottom and top rear edges, these boards and modules being arranged to ensure the guiding of the modules along the boards.

Such furniture is described in Belgian patent 2018/5324.

The production and assembly of the modules and boards of this prior art are not the easiest.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The inventors therefore sought, to achieve a modular and scalable storage structure easy to manufacture and to upgrade, a particularly simple solution and it is thus that they propose the invention of the present application which consists of a modular piece of furniture and scalable comprising, at least between two low and high boards each having two front and rear edges, at least one module with at least one side wall, provided with two bottom and top edges, and a rear bottom wall having two bottom edges and high and assembled to the side wall, the boards and the module being arranged to allow the sliding and guiding of the module along the boards, cabinet characterized in that

- boards with two parallel flat surfaces,

- at least one of the edges of each board has a projecting longitudinal rib perpendicular to its flat surfaces, - The module is notched longitudinally and perpendicular to its side wall to be able to fit on the ribs of the boards and thus slide along these ribs.

It should be noted from the outset here that the material of the boards and of the module, which may for example be metal, is advantageously wood or another material which can be cut and machined.

In the case where only one of the edges of the boards has a rib, the boards can be either a low board or a high board, depending on whether they are presented with the rib facing upwards or downwards, it being understood that the boards must be turned so that their rib is that of a rear edge.

With a single rib, forming, in profile, with the board an L, said board may be a low board or a high board, but then, in the latter case, without any other additional board above this high board, so as not to form a single module set or a single row of modules.

If the cabinet must have at least two rows of modules superimposed and separated by an intermediate board, then this intermediate board has two projecting longitudinal ribs, perpendicular to the flat surfaces of this board, in the continuation of one another and forming, in profile, with the board a T.

The longitudinal ribs projecting out of the boards may have a sidewall coplanar with the edge of the edge of the boards or be set back relative to this edge.

In one embodiment, the bottom wall being assembled to the rear edge of the side wall, the module is indented in two longitudinal grooves formed respectively in the bottom and top edges of the bottom wall and extending into the bottom and top edges. of its side wall to cooperate with the ribs of the low and high boards.

Of course, the module can include two side walls assembled to the bottom wall, the above characteristics naturally applying mutatis mutandis to this embodiment, the module thus comprising two side walls each provided with two bottom edges and top, and a rear bottom wall having two bottom and top edges and assembled to the side walls. In this case, and the bottom wall being assembled to the rear edges of the side walls, the module can be indented in two notches formed respectively in at least one of the bottom and top edges of its two side walls, of depth equal to the height of the sides. ribs projecting from the boards, preferably near its bottom wall, and aligned parallel to the bottom wall. In the case where the module has only one side wall, it is preferable that the bottom wall is assembled with the side wall below its rear edge.

Advantageously, in the latter case, the material of the module preferably being wood, the module comprises, in the rear assembly dihedral of the bottom wall and of the side wall, a buttress extending between the top and bottom edges. bottom and side walls and indented in two longitudinal notches formed respectively in its top and bottom edges and extending, in the rear edge of the side wall, projecting out of the bottom wall, at the top and at the bottom, to cooperate with the ribs of the high and low planks.

In this case, it is preferable that the edge of the bottom wall, opposite to its assembly edge with the side wall, is provided with a bar notched at the top and at the bottom, in cooperation with the ribs of the top boards and low, the bar extending to the right of the buttress.

In the case where the module has only one side wall, with a bottom wall disposed below the rear edge of the side wall, and where its material is metal, the two walls can be welded together. 'other or formed from a single folded piece.

The present application also relates to a piece of furniture comprising more than two boards and / or at least two modules as claimed above.

PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

The invention will be better understood from reading the following description of several embodiments of the piece of furniture of the invention, with reference to the appended drawing in which

Fig. 1 is a perspective view from above and from the left side of an embodiment of the furniture of the invention, in a single row of two modules of a first embodiment between two low and high boards of a first form of achievement;

Fig. 2 is a view of the left side of the cabinet of FIG. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view from above of one of the furniture modules of Figure 1, with two side walls and a bottom wall assembled with the rear edges of the side walls;

Fig. 4 is a partial view of the right side of a second embodiment of a board of the furniture of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a left side view of a third embodiment of a board of the furniture of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view from above of a second embodiment of a cabinet module of the invention, with two side walls and a bottom wall joined to the rear edges of the side walls; Fig. 7 is a perspective view from above of a third embodiment of a cabinet module of the invention, with a single side wall, with a bottom wall assembled to the side wall below its rear edge, and in wood ;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view from above of a fourth embodiment of a cabinet module of the invention made of metal, with a single side wall, with a bottom wall welded to the rear edge of the side wall;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view from above of a fifth embodiment of a cabinet module of the invention made of metal, with a single side wall and bottom wall formed in one piece and

Fig. 10 is a perspective view from above of a sixth embodiment of a cabinet module of the invention made of metal, with a single side wall, with a bottom wall fitted into the folded rear edge of the side wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The modular piece of furniture, and scalable as specified below, of FIG. 1 comprises, between a low board 1 and a high board 2, a single row of two modules 3 and 4. The boards and the walls of the modules are here made of wood.

Each board 1, 2 has a front edge 5 and a rear edge 6, delimiting two parallel flat surfaces 7, 8.

Against the entire edge 9 of the rear edge 6 of the boards 1, 2 is fixed a thin strip 10, here also of wood, projecting upwards and downwards perpendicular to the flat surfaces 7, 8 of the boards 1, 2. On the plane functional, each strip 10 is formed of two half-strips in the extension of one another and forming upper 11 and lower 12 longitudinal ribs projecting perpendicular to the flat surfaces 7, 8 of the boards 1, 2. In profile, the two ribs 11, 12 of each strip 10 form, with the board to which they are attached, a T. The strips are preferably fixed to their board by gluing.

It will be noted that if the high board 2 of the cabinet of FIG. 1 comprises an upper rib 11, it is in order to possibly be able to serve as an intermediate board by transforming the cabinet of FIG. 1 into a cabinet with two rows of modules, or more, board 2 becoming the low board to support the modules of the second row.

Leaving aside this upper rib, which in this case is actually not useful, the lower rib 12 forms, in profile, with the board 2 an L.

Likewise, the lower rib 12 of the lower board 1 is not useful here either. It is therefore for convenience and simplicity that the slats 10 have been fixed to the boards. In the event that only one rib (half a strip) is fixed to the boards, it is interesting to note that they can either be fixed in the lower or upper rib, since it would suffice to rotate the boards. around an axis orthogonal to their rib to transform a lower rib into an upper rib, and vice versa, and therefore transform a high board into a low board, any front rib remaining attached to the rear edge of the boards.

In the case of a board provided with a single lower rib, as will be easily understood later, the board can only be a high board of a piece of furniture with a single row of modules.

The cabinet of FIG. 1 comprises support shoes under the low board 1 which have been provided to improve the seat of the cabinet and take into account the fact that this low board also comprises a lower rib 12, a series of shoes 13 being pressed against this rib and the rear edge 6 of the board, other shoes 13 being fixed under the front edge 5 of the board, the shoes 13 having of course the same height as the rib 12.

Each module 3, 4 here comprises a left side wall 14, a right side wall 15 and a rear bottom wall 16.

Each side wall has a top edge 17 and a bottom edge 18. Likewise, the rear bottom wall 16 has a top edge 19 and a bottom edge 20. The two side walls 14, 15, by their vertical rear edge 23, are assembled to the rear bottom wall 16. This structure is clearly visible in Figure 3.

The assembly of the three walls of the modules 3, 4 can be done in different ways. First of all and here they are glued together.

In this case, the rear bottom wall 16 is disposed between the two side walls, the rear face 21 of the bottom wall being coplanar with the rear edges 22 of the vertical rear edges 23 of the side walls 14, 15. One could also place the front face of the bottom wall against these rear edges.

The modules 3, 4 are notched longitudinally, that is to say in the direction of the length of the cabinet, and therefore in the direction of the length of the boards 1, 2, and perpendicular to the side walls 14, 15.

A notch has been made both in the rear bottom wall 16 and in the two side walls 14, 15. In the rear bottom wall 16, a groove 24 has been hollowed out in the top 19 and bottom edges 20. These grooves 24 have substantially the same thickness as the strips 10 and a depth substantially equal to the height of the ribs 11, 12.

The grooves 24 are extended in the side walls 14, 15 by notches 25 made here in their top 17, bottom 18 and vertical rear edges 23. The notches 25 have the same thickness and the same depth as the grooves 24.

Thus, the walls 14, 15, 16 of the modules 3, 4 can fit on the ribs 11, 12 of the boards 1, 2 and slide along these ribs. Modules can be placed wherever desired. They can, without affecting their structure, be moved after the first installation and that is why the furniture is qualified as modular and upgradeable.

The module 30 of FIG. 6 differs from that of FIG. 3 only by its notches. It has two side walls 31, 32 and a rear bottom wall 33. The bottom wall 33 does not have a groove. Only notches 34 have been cut in the top 35 and bottom 36 edges of the side walls, below the bottom wall. The top and bottom notches are respectively aligned with each other parallel to the bottom wall, in fact to form partial, or dislocated, grooves along lines 37.

The notches 34 have the same dimensions as the notches 25 of the modules 3, 4. The module 30 can fit on the ribs 11, 12 of the boards 1, 2, but offset backwards from the modules 3, 4.

In practice, numerous arrangements of the notches and grooves in the modules and of the ribs on the boards can be envisaged.

Thus, if the ribs 11, 12 of the boards 1, 2 of the cabinet of FIG. 1 have their front side coplanar with the edge 9 of the rear edge 6 of the boards, it is perfectly permissible to fix these ribs set back from this edge. , that is to say below forward.

Depending on the configuration of the piece of furniture you want to create, anything is possible.

One can, for example, provide a groove in one of the top and bottom edges of the bottom wall, extended by notches in the side walls and, without a groove in the other of the edges of the bottom wall, cut notches in the edges, bottom or top, of the side walls, opposite the grooved edge of the bottom wall.

Variants are also possible on the support boards of the furniture modules of the invention of FIG. 1. Figure 4 shows the rear part of a board 40 with, respectively on the two flat faces of the board, a lower rib 41, near its rear edge 42, intended to fit into the grooves of the modules arranged in- below the board, and an upper rib 43, offset forwards with respect to the lower groove 41, intended to be embedded in grooves or notches of modules arranged above. In this case, the board 40 is an intermediate board of a cabinet with at least two rows of modules.

FIG. 5 shows a board 50 with, respectively on its two faces, an upper, or lower, rear, or front rib, 51 and a lower, or upper, front, or rear rib, 52, depending on the arrangement of the board in a piece of furniture. In this case, the board 50 is an intermediate board between two rows of modules open in opposite directions, one towards the front of the cabinet, the other towards the rear.

It will be noted that the ribs 51, 52 have a sidewall coplanar with the edge of the board edges.

The ribs 41, 43 of the board 40 and the ribs 51, 52 of the board 50, in profile, together with their board 40, 50 form an L.

The module 60 of FIG. 7, made of wood, differs from the modules previously described by the fact that it has only one side wall 61 and a bottom wall 62 arranged below the vertical rear edge 63 of the side wall 61 .

The two walls 61, 62, once assembled, form a rear assembly dihedron 64 in which is fixed a buttress 65, in the form of a beam with rectangular section, extending between the top and bottom edges of the side wall (66 , 67) and the back wall.

In addition, the vertical edge 68 of the wall 62, opposite its vertical assembly edge 69 is provided, here over its entire length, with a bar 70 for cooperation with the ribs of the upper and lower boards 2, 1. The bar 70 extends to the right of the buttress beam 65.

The rear edge 63 of the side wall 61, projecting out of the bottom wall 62, comprises two longitudinal notches 71, 72 formed in the top 66 and bottom 67 edges of the side wall, which are extended by notches 73 and 74 formed in the upper part (as well as in the lower part) of the buttress beam 65 and of the bar 70, respectively aligned with one another, to form longitudinally, that is to say parallel to the base board 62, partial grooves , or dislocated, in cooperation with the ribs of the boards 1, 2. The notches 71-74 are of the same dimensions as the notches in the modules of figures 1-3, 6. The module 100 of FIG. 8 is made of metal and composed of two side walls 80 and bottom 81, welded to one another.

The bottom wall 81 has a left assembly flange 82 and a right flange 83 opposite to the side wall 80, the two flanges here being folded substantially at right angles forward with respect to the bottom wall, the flanges by one of which 82 the bottom wall 81 is welded to the vertical rear edge 84 of the side wall 80. In the example of Figure 8, the bottom wall 81 extends directly perpendicular to the rear edge 84 of the wall lateral 80.

As in the previously described modules, the top 85 and bottom 86 edges of the rear edge 84 of the side wall 80 and the top and bottom edges of the two flanges 82, 83 of the bottom wall 81 respectively comprise notches 87-91 of the same. dimensions and arranged and aligned in the same way as the notches of the previously described modules to cooperate in the same way with the ribs of the boards 1, 2.

It will be noted that the production of the module 100 is relatively easy, by cutting two walls, folding and welding.

The module 110 of Figure 9 differs from the module of Figure 8 by the fact that it is even easier to produce, since a single plate cut is sufficient. So in one and the same plate 110, a first wall is first reserved, forming the side wall 101 of the module, then, beyond this side wall, after a first folding substantially at 180 ° on a small portion of the plate. , a thick folding and reinforcing ridge 102, rear and side, is formed, then, beyond this ridge, after a second bending substantially at 90 °, the bottom wall 103 of the module is formed, thus arranged on this side of the vertical rear edge 104 of the edge 102, also forming the rear edge of the side wall 101. The two walls 101, 103 are therefore joined by the folding edge 102.

The vertical edge 105, opposite the edge 102, of the bottom wall 103 has been bent substantially at 90 ° towards the rear to form a bar 105 disposed opposite the ridge 102 and extending the bottom wall 103.

In the example of FIG. 9, the vertical front edge 105, opposite the rear edge 104 of the side wall 101, has also been folded, substantially at 90 °, to stabilize the module.

As in the module 100 of FIG. 8, notches 106-109, of the same dimensions, have been formed in the top and bottom edges of the side wall 101, of the edge 102 and of the bar 105. and of the same arrangement as those of the other modules described above, to perform the same functions of indentation and cooperation with the ribs of the boards 1, 2.

Several embodiments of the furniture modules of the invention have been described, with particular assemblies of the bottom wall and of the side walls. Of course, these assemblies should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present application. Other assemblies are perfectly possible. For example, the assembly of a bottom wall and a side wall could be achieved by fitting the rear edge of a side wall into a notch formed in a side edge of the bottom wall, made by three folds. 90 ° if the module is made of metal, or by interlocking a side edge of the bottom wall folded at 90 ° in a notch formed in the rear edge of the side wall, produced by two 90 ° folds if the module is made of metal.

Thus, the module 120 of FIG. 10, also made of metal, is composed of a side wall 121 and a bottom wall 122, first of all separated, as in the module 100 of FIG. 8, then joined by interlocking to present a configuration very similar to that of the module 110 of FIG. 9. It is a particularly simple embodiment to achieve.

The side wall 121 has a vertical rear edge 123 which has been folded forward in two folds at 90 ° to form a vertical groove 124 in which a vertical side edge 125, here left, folded at 90 ° from the bottom wall and towards the rear, must be slid, or interlocked (127), to secure the two walls. The other vertical side edge 126, here right, of the back wall 122 has also been folded back 90 ° from the back wall and to the rear, in line with the other edge 125.

As in modules 100 and 110, notches have been formed to provide the same functions.

Claims

1. Modular and scalable cabinet comprising, at least between two low (1) and high (2) boards each having two front (5) and rear (6) edges, at least one module (3; 4) with at least a side wall (14, 15), provided with two bottom (18) and top (17) edges, and a rear bottom wall (16) having two bottom (20) and top (19) edges and assembled to the side wall (14, 15), the boards (1, 2) and the module (3; 4) being arranged to allow the sliding and guiding of the module (3; 4) along the boards (1, 2), cabinet characterized by the fact that

- the boards (1, 2) having two parallel flat surfaces (7, 8),

- at least one of the edges (5, 6) of each board (1, 2) has a longitudinal rib (11; 12) projecting perpendicular to its flat surfaces (7, 8), and

- the module (3; 4) is notched (24, 25) longitudinally and perpendicular to its side wall (14, 15) to be able to fit on the ribs (11; 12) of the boards (1, 2) and thus slide along these ribs (11; 12).

2. Furniture according to claim 1, wherein a single board edge (6) comprises a rib (11; 12).

3. Furniture according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the ribs (41, 43; 51, 52) and their board (40; 50) form, in profile, an L.

4. Cabinet according to claim 3, wherein the board (2), forming an L in profile with its rib (12), is a high board and the cabinet has only one row of modules (3; 4).

5. Furniture according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein there is provided, on at least one of the boards (1, 2), two upper longitudinal ribs (11) and lower (12) projecting, perpendicular to the flat surfaces (7, 8) of said one board (1, 2), in the continuation of one another and parts of a lamella (10) forming, in profile, with said one board (1, 2) a T.

6. Furniture according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein there is provided on at least one of the boards (40; 50) two ribs (41, 43; 51, 52) respectively fixed on the two faces of said one board and offset from each other.

7. Furniture according to claim 6, wherein the two ribs (41, 43) are fixed near the rear edge (42) of said one board.

8. Furniture according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ribs (10, 11, 12) have a front side coplanar with the edge (9) of the rear edge (6) of the boards.

9. Furniture according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, the bottom wall (16) being assembled to the rear edge (23) of the side wall (14, 15), the module is notched in two longitudinal grooves ( 24) formed respectively in the bottom (20) and top (19) edges of the bottom wall (16) and extending into the bottom (18) and top (17) edges of its side wall (14, 15) to cooperate with the ribs (11, 12) of the low and high boards (1, 2).

10. Furniture according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the module (3; 4) comprises two side walls (14, 15), each provided with two bottom edges (18) and top (17), and a rear bottom wall (16) having two bottom edges (20) and top (19), and assembled to the side walls (14, 15), the module (3; 4) being notched (24, 25) longitudinally and perpendicular to its side walls (14, 15).

11. Furniture according to claim 10, wherein the module (3; 4) is notched along at least one longitudinal groove (24) for cooperation with a rib (11; 12), formed in the bottom wall (16) and extended. by notches (25) in the side walls (14, 15) for cooperation with a rib (11; 12).

12. Furniture according to claim 11, wherein there are two grooves (24) in the top (19) and bottom (20) edges of the bottom wall (16) of the module (3; 4), extended by notches. (25) in the side walls (14, 15).

13. Furniture according to claim 11, wherein the side walls (14, 15) of the module (3; 4) comprise notches (34) for cooperation with a board rib (11; 12).

14. Furniture according to claim 10, wherein the module (30) is notched only by notches (34) formed in the side walls (31, 32) of the module.

15. Furniture according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the module (60; 100; 110) having only one side wall (61; 80; 101), the bottom wall (62; 81; 103) is assembled to the side wall below its rear edge (63; 84; 104).

16. Furniture according to claim 15, wherein the module (60) comprising a rear dihedral (64) for assembling the bottom wall (62) and the side wall (61), a buttress beam (65) extends. in the dihedron between the top and bottom edges of the bottom wall (62) and of the side wall (61, 66, 67), the beam (65) being indented in two longitudinal notches (64) formed respectively in its top edges and low and extending (71, 72) into the rear edge (63) of the side wall (61), projecting out of the bottom wall (62) to cooperate with the ribs (11, 12) of the high boards and low (2, 1).

17. Furniture according to claim 16, wherein the edge (68) of the bottom wall (62), opposite its edge (69) for assembly with the side wall (61), is provided with a bar (70 ) extending to the right of the buttress beam (65) and arranged to cooperate with the ribs (11, 12) of the upper and lower boards (2, 1) by upper and lower notches (74).

18. Furniture according to one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the boards (1, 2) and the module (3, 4; 30; 60) are made of wood.

19. Furniture according to claim 15, wherein the side wall (80) and the bottom wall (81) are made of metal and welded to each other.

20. Furniture according to claim 19, wherein the bottom wall (81) extends directly perpendicular to the rear edge (84) of the side wall (80) and comprises, opposite the side wall (80), a flange ( 83) folded substantially at a right angle forward relative to the bottom wall (81).

21. Furniture according to claim 15, wherein the side wall (101) and the bottom wall (103) are formed in the same metal plate.

22. Furniture according to claim 21, wherein the bottom plate (103) extends beyond the vertical rear edge (104) of the side wall (101) and a folding edge (102) joining the two walls. (101, 103).

23. Furniture according to claim 22, wherein the bottom wall (103) is extended by a stabilizing bar (105), folded substantially at 90 ° towards the rear and disposed opposite the folding edge (102). , the side wall (101), the folding edge (102) and the stabilizing bar (105) are provided with notches (106-109) for cooperation with the ribs of the boards (1, 2).

24. Furniture according to one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the boards and the module are made of metallic material.

25. Furniture according to one of claims 1 to 24, comprising more than two boards and at least two modules.

26. Furniture according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, the module (120) of metal and having only one side wall (121), the bottom wall (122) is assembled to the side wall ( 121) by fitting a vertical side edge (125) of the bottom wall (122) into a groove (124) of the vertical rear edge (123) folded over from the side wall (121).